How many schools have you applied to?

Cheery Littlebottom · Post by **Cheery Littlebottom** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:43 am

Hi All
Just wondered, how many schools have people applied to?
We've applied to 7 that have jobs for both of us, and one which is a school we would like to work at but has (as yet) only a job for me and not the other 'alf.
Seems there are a lot of jobs this time around.
Do you think you reach a point when further apps are not worth it, or should one keep applying to every suitable school?
Cheery

Crgallen22 · Post by **Crgallen22** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:23 am

Hi Cheery,
I have applied for seven jobs so far and just landed my first Skype interview. I'm curious how many schools will actually do any hiring before the fairs.

Cheery Littlebottom · Post by **Cheery Littlebottom** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:51 am

Hi!
I think lots of schools will! At least, I hope so. I've never actually had to go to a fair yet! We are booked in including flights, but we are hoping to cancel and pay the penalty.
I should imagine that fairs are as stressful for recruiters as for recruitees, and advance hiring makes sense.
Good luck with your skype interview. We have been told we are going to be interviewed by one school, but they have not specified whether this will be via skype or if they want to wait til the fair. Not to put too fine a point on it, we are experienced staff in shortage subjects so if they wait til the fair I don't think we will be available!
I am trying to be optimistic! :wink:
We have a shortlist of schools (well, there are 13 schools on it, dunno if that qualifies as short) and we've applied to 8. We are fairly certain one of our faves won't have openings in our subjects :( as we know folks at the school. I suppose we keep applying til we've exhausted the list, whilst keeping an open mind about other possibilities. It's a big commitment of time if you do it properly!

buffalofan · Post by **buffalofan** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 6:03 am

It's still early. Only 2 schools on my shortlist have posted jobs in my field. I've applied to those and received an automated response. A lot of schools haven't posted any jobs yet.

The last time I attended a fair there were lots of jobs posted a day or two before the fair. I got the impression that a lot of schools simply don't like dealing with a flood of advanced inquiries. I'm booked for a fair in January and I'd expect much the same.

christyn2 · Post by **christyn2** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 6:24 am

I've applied to four so far. I am in touch with the director at my top choice, but they've posted no jobs so far. @cherry-Did you hear anything from Warsaw? They have a lot of openings, but I received no response yet. I need to send more apps this weekend. I have gotten my previous jobs on Skype as well, but am also registered for Bangkok, and prepared to go.

Cheery Littlebottom · Post by **Cheery Littlebottom** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 7:20 am

Nah, not a dicky bird from Warsaw. I would be pretty damn excited to go there, but they are one of our (few) stony silences. You've reminded me, it's been a week so we'd better follow them up......
Hope we're not competing for the same job ;-)

christyn2 · Post by **christyn2** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 7:25 am

No, I don't think so! I am elementary......;-) I haven't heard anything either.

vettievette · Post by **vettievette** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 9:16 am

7 so far and I'm in a specialist subject of which I can comfortably do in elementary, middle school, and 9/10 high school (though I'd probably prefer elementary or middle school if you twisted my arm). I've heard back from 2 schools already who have expressed interest and hopefully will be setting up Skype chats soon. Both schools are in the region AND teach the curriculum that are high on my priority list. I'm registered for Bangkok and prepared to recruit at a fair if necessary. I know it's also very early. The anticipation of seeing a new job listing pop up on Search is very exciting/nerve wracking.

Crgallen22 · Post by **Crgallen22** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 11:14 am

I, too, would love to hear back from Warsaw! Plus, I think I would enjoy working with Cheery. Just sayin'. ;)

mollymillions · Post by **mollymillions** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 10:44 pm

I'm slightly jealous. No jobs have come up in my subject in a country I want to work in yet.

Cheery Littlebottom · Fri Oct 25, 2013 11:24 pm

@ crgallen22 - you are so kind! Maybe we will! We might arrange to meet in the staff room of our new school one day and publicly reveal our personas! LOL
@mollymillions, your time will come dearie! I must admit, there have been quite a few for us. Many more so than I expected. Recruiting seems to happen earlier and earlier. Come early December you'll be inundated, just wait and see!
BTW, have a look at the "American School in Warsaw" thread and let me know what you think about this whole business of sending references. How have / would you guys handle this?

Bellarex · Post by **Bellarex** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 8:55 am

We've applied to 8 so far, and have heard back from a few with automated responses, and 2 personal responses. One has said they are going to schedule an initial Skype interview soon, and one has said they would like to interview us at the Cambridge fair.

We're both elementary, so not in high demand.

xtralight · Post by **xtralight** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 3:24 am

I think we have applied to 8 or so and still nothing but automated responses
:(

We are both very experienced international teachers with great refs and creds too.

xtralight · Post by **xtralight** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 3:24 am

I think we have applied to 8 or so and still nothing but automated responses
:(

We are both very experienced international teachers with great refs and creds too.

christyn2 · Post by **christyn2** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 4:13 am

I am wondering if we (myself included!) are maybe getting a little carried away with expecting responses so soon? I know times are changing, but we have to remember...IT'S ONLY OCTOBER.

I am going to at least keep telling myself that! ;-)